Princeton vs Caltech: A 2025 guide for international students

Overall verdict 

For broader options, community, and strong funding, pick Princeton. For depth in science and engineering within a small, intensive cohort, pick Caltech. 

Both sit at or near the top of global league tables every year. Caltech ranks higher in STEM, while Princeton stands out for teaching quality and cross-disciplinary options. 

Princeton: Ranked #1 in the US by the US News for many years. Globally, it sits in the top 20–25 in QS rankings and #4 in Times Higher Education. Known for excellence across multiple fields. 

Caltech: Consistently in top 10 globally for STEM. QS Rankings places it at #10 worldwide, while THE ranks it #7. Known for producing Nobel laureates and leading innovations in science and technology. 

Overall: If you want a broad academic foundation, Princeton shines. If you want to specialise in science and engineering, Caltech is one of the strongest universities in the world. 

Verdict: Tie for excellence. Choose by academic fit and the campus experience you want. 

Both universities are highly selective: 

• Princeton admits around 4–5% of applicants. Admissions are need-blind, even for international students, and the university meets full financial need. 

• Caltech admits only 2–3% of applicants, making it even more selective. Admission is need-aware for international students, but aid is still available. Caltech particularly values exceptional performance in maths and science. 

Overall: Getting into either is tough. Focus on academic excellence and showing a strong fit with the university’s culture. 

Verdict: If you are a versatile scholar with strengths across subjects, Princeton may suit. If you have proven, high‑level STEM achievement, Caltech is the better match. 

Studying at either Princeton or Caltech costs around USD $90,000 per year when tuition, housing, and living expenses are included. 

Princeton: Tuition is approximately $62,000 a year. However, Princeton offers one of the most generous financial aid programs in the world with a need-blind admission policy for international students (meaning overseas applicants are treated the same as US applicants when applying for aid). They also follow a no-loan policy, meaning many students pay significantly less than at other colleges. 

Caltech: Tuition is around $65,000 a year. While they provide need-blind admissions for US citizens, this does not extend to international applicants. Additionally, living costs in Pasadena are higher than Princeton. 

Verdict: Princeton is often more affordable for international students thanks to its extensive scholarships and aid. 

Princeton and Caltech both offer exceptional academics, but their focus areas differ. Princeton provides a wide range of disciplines (from humanities to engineering) with a strong liberal arts philosophy for undergraduates, along with renowned graduate programs in fields like public policy and the sciences. Caltech, by contrast, is narrowly focused on science and engineering, offering unparalleled depth in those areas for both undergraduates and graduate students. 

Princeton:

Princeton combines the strengths of a world-class research university with the feel of a close-knit, undergraduate-focused community. It consistently ranks among the best in fields like mathematics, physics, economics, history, public affairs, English and computer science. 

Every undergraduate completes a broad liberal arts curriculum and an independent senior thesis, which develops critical thinking and research skills. 

At postgraduate level, Princeton offers a select range of highly regarded master’s and PhD programs. Unlike some peers, it does not have law, business or medical schools, and most departments focus on PhD study. Graduate students benefit from generous funding and close mentorship from leading academics. 

Princeton is especially strong in theoretical fields such as mathematics, physics and philosophy, while also excelling in engineering and computer science, though on a smaller scale than larger tech-focused universities. 

Why choose Princeton? Princeton is ideal if you’re looking for: 

• A highly personalised undergraduate experience. 

• Rigorous research opportunities across the humanities, social sciences and STEM. 

• Fully funded PhD programs with world-renowned faculty guidance. 

Find all Princeton courses here!

Caltech:

Caltech is one of the world’s most specialised universities, with a clear focus on science and engineering. All undergraduates earn a Bachelor of Science degree, and most choose fields like physics, astronomy, engineering, computer science, chemistry, biology, or earth sciences. Research is central — about 80% of students take part, often through the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which Caltech has managed since the 1930s. 

At postgraduate level, Caltech is known for its doctoral (PhD) programs, which outnumber its undergraduate offerings. Master’s degrees exist in areas such as electrical engineering and computer science but are limited, and many are awarded en route to a PhD. Professional programs in law, medicine or business are not offered. 

Graduate strengths include engineering, applied science, physics, earth sciences, biology and chemistry. Admission is extremely competitive, and almost all PhD students receive funding through fellowships or assistantships. With a very low student-to-faculty ratio (about 3:1), students benefit from close mentorship and hands-on research. 

Why choose Caltech?

Caltech is ideal if you want: 

• A pure STEM focus with unrivalled access to labs and research. 

• Early involvement in projects at world-leading facilities like JPL. 

• A small, collaborative environment with intensive faculty support. 

Find all Caltech courses here!

Verdict

Choose Princeton for wide range of courses and Caltech for depth in science and engineering.

The campus experience at Princeton and Caltech can be quite different, reflecting the scale and focus of each school. 

Princeton: Offers a classic Ivy League campus life with residential colleges. They have over 300 student clubs with strong traditions like eating clubs and Ivy League sports teams. Overall, Princeton offers a balanced mix of academics, extracurriculars, and social life. 

Caltech: Offers small, close-knit community. Students live in residential houses with unique traditions. Caltech has a reputation for pranks, puzzles, and a “science-first” culture. The Pasadena location means easy access to LA’s cultural and professional opportunities. 

Overall: Princeton offers a traditional, well-rounded US college experience. Caltech is intense, collaborative, and very research-focused. 

Verdict: Students wanting the classic US College experience may prefer Princeton, however those wanting to build more intimate community or wanting to experience LA may prefer Caltech. 

Both Princeton and Caltech boast excellent career outcomes for their graduates, though the paths students take can differ given the schools’ strengths. Princeton’s alumni network is large and spread across many industries worldwide, from finance and government to academia. Caltech’s alumni community is smaller but extraordinarily accomplished in scientific research, technology, and engineering entrepreneurship. 

Princeton graduates often pursue leadership roles in government, business, and academia. Its alumni network is influential worldwide. 

Caltech graduates excel in research, technology, and innovation. Strong ties to NASA, Silicon Valley, and top tech companies. 

Verdict: For widest industry choice, Princeton. For top‑tier STEM research and tech roles, Caltech. 

Both universities are exceptional. The right choice depends on whether you value variety of options and tradition (Princeton) or specialisation and innovation (Caltech). Overall:  

• Pick Princeton if you want a broad education, vibrant campus life, and global career opportunities across many sectors.  

• Pick Caltech if you are deeply passionate about STEM and want to study in one of the most research-intensive environments in the world. 

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